Skin needling, also called micro needling therapy, collagen induction therapy (CIT), and percutaneous collagen induction (PCI), is a minimally invasive skin-rejuvenation procedure.

 

What to expect from the Dermapen Micro Needling

 

• Tightens, Lifts & Rejuvenates the skin

• Reduces acne scars, surgical scars and other types of scarring

• Improves wrinkles & fine lines, folds & crows feet

• Hyper & Hypopigmentation repair

• Minimises pore size

• Improves the skin of stretch marks

• Treats Alopecia

• Little to no 'downtime'

• Induces Collagen to the skin for a more youthful look

 

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FAQ's

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How skin needling works

The concept of skin needling is based on the skin’s natural ability to repair itself whenever it encounters physical damage such as cuts, burns and other abrasions. Immediately after an injury occurs to the skin our body reuses the damaged collagen and elastin fibres as well as other damaged skin components to produce new ones. Skin needling allows for controlled induction of the skin’s self-repair mechanism by creating micro “injuries” in the skin which triggers new collagen synthesis, yet does not pose the risk of permanent scarring. The result is smoother, firmer and younger-looking skin.

 

How is the treatment administered?

Skin needling procedures are performed by professionally trained practitioners with the use of the sterile Dermapen in our clinic. The procedure is normally completed within 30-45 minutes depending on the required treatment and anatomical site. Before the procedure commences a topical anaesthetic will be applied to the skin to ensure comfort and a painless experience. (I can vouch for that I have had it done) After the skin is numbed, the Dermapen will be administered to your skin gently and it will slide across the skin with light pressure to puncture the outermost layers of the skin and create minuscule sub-cutaneous injuries. These microscopic wounds stimulate new collagen deposition which may last for up to a year, yet they close within less than an hour causing no bruising or injury.

 

Three or four treatments may be recommended for mild to moderate acne scarring, whereas deeper scars and stretch marks may require upward of five treatments. An interval of 4 to 6 weeks between treatments is typically recommended. There can also be some maintenance treatments at intervals of every 3 to 6 months. 

 

What happens post-treatment?

After the procedure, your skin will be slightly red and flushed in appearance in a similar way to moderate sunburn. You may also experience skin tightness and mild sensitivity to touch on the area being treated. This will diminish greatly after a few hours following treatments and within the next 24 hours, the skin will be completely healed. After 3 days there is barely any evidence that the procedure has taken place.

 

How quickly are the results visible?

Visible results of skin rejuvenation can be seen fairly soon the following procedure and continue over the following months and in some cases for up to a year. A course of 4-6 skin needling sessions, at 4-6 week intervals, is usually recommended to achieve optimum results; however great skin improvement is noticeable after just one treatment.

 

Is skin needling safe?

Skin needling does not involve injections and therefore allergic reactions and side-effects are unlikely. It is minimally invasive, involves minimal downtime (max. 24hrs), rapid healing and requires simple after-care. Clinical skin needling is minimally invasive and normally no blood is drawn, however, small amounts of pinpoint bleeding in clients with thin skin may occur and should be considered as normal.

Skin needling on different ethnic skin

Skin needling can be safely performed on all skin colours and types. There is no risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation as the melanocytes remain intact, like the epidermis, during skin needling. Other invasive procedures such as laser resurfacing are not recommended for Asian skin due to the potential risks of delayed wound healing, pigmentary changes and scarring. This is where skin needling has an advantage as these potential risks are very unlikely due to the epidermis remaining intact. Use of skin needling is viewed as a suitable procedure as it does not affect the heightened wound healing response in Asian skin. This natural reaction is not induced by skin needling as it does not disrupt the melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin which is a pigment responsible for skin colour.
 

Does it hurt?

The Dermapen is specifically designed to penetrate deep enough to be very effective, and yet not deep enough to touch nerves and cause appreciable pain. When used according to the directions, the ultra-sharp titanium needles will penetrate the upper layers of skin without causing bleeding or permanent injury. Our Dermapen is a medical edition and can only be used by experts and have to be accompanied by a topical anaesthetic, which will be applied to numb the skin making the procedure comfortable. Normally this is a 5% Lidocaine or other anaesthetic creams applied 15-30 minutes before the procedure takes place. Again... I have had it done and didn't even have to wait that long and felt nothing.

 

Side effects experienced with skin needling are very minimal and usually, subside within 24 hours. They include redness, stinging, itching, tightness and slight peeling.

 

“Micro-needling is a safe, chemical-free method that triggers new collagen production,” says Beverly Hills, Calif, nurse and aesthetic trainer Sylvia Silvestri, RN. “Because it can be performed on all skin colours and types, it is sometimes the preferred treatment over laser as there is no risk of burning the patient.”  

 

Watch the YouTube Video on Dermapen micro-needling for more in-depth information 
https://youtu.be/6WczUjxn6x4

 

Contraindications of Skin Micro-needling Treatments

 

Relative contraindications include;

Keloid or raised scarring; history of Eczema, Psoriasis and other chronic conditions; history of Actinic, (solar) Keratosis; history of Herpes

Simplex infections; history of Diabetes; the presence of raised moles, warts or any raised lesions on the targeted area.

 

Absolute contraindications include;

Scleroderma, Collagen Vascular Diseases or Cardiac Abnormalities; Rosacea and Blood Clotting problems; active Bacterial or Fungal Infection; Immunosuppression; scars less than 6 months old.